Dodgers Highlights: Freddie Freeman Gets 2,000th Career Hit But LA Falls in Extras
It was another crazy game between the Dodgers and Astros and unfortunately, the boys in blue ran out of magic in extra innings. The game didn’t start out as great as Tony Gonsolin’s recent struggles continued for LA. One week after allowing a career-worst 7 earned runs to the Giants, he served up 4 runs to Houston on a pair of 2 run homers. Mookie Betts hit another lead off bomb which was all the Dodger offense we got until late.
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Let’s get into the highlights of this crazy game.
Mookie hit that lead off home run to give the Dodgers the early lead…
Mookie homer? Remember this when you're voting tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/SYBGMmJgE6
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 25, 2023
Mookie Betts gets the Dodgers started with his 44th career leadoff homer, eighth of the season and second this series. He's tied for eighth all-time in leadoff home runs. Dodgers lead 1-0.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 25, 2023
Mookie also turned a beautiful double play in the 5th inning to bail Tony Gonsolin out of trouble.
Mookie Betts just made another incredible turn at second base to finish the double play and save a run for the Dodgers.
The MLB announced a “Utility” category for the Gold Glove Award last season.
Betts has to be a lock for that award at this point.— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 26, 2023
Flash forward to the 6th where Freddie Freeman collected hit number 1,999 of his career and one of just 3 hits off Houston starter Hunter Brown who looked like Cy Young over 6 strong innings.
For the second afternoon in a row, the Dodger offense came alive as the top of the order did its job, albeit all with 2 outs. Mookie Betts was hit by a pitch and promptly stole second base. Freddie Freeman stroked an RBI double to right field for the 2,000th hit of his career and brought the score to within two.
2,000th career hit for Freddie Freeman.
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) June 26, 2023
He’s the 289th player in MLB history to enter the 2,000 hit club. Considering his durability and the fact that he’s shown no signs of slowing down any time soon, Freddie will be a hall of Famer one day.
pic.twitter.com/3si7WvlYtB
Freddie’s moment. pic.twitter.com/l8Rtn5OcL1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 26, 2023
Will Smith tied the game with a clutch 2 run bomb to right center field and the Dodgers were fully back alive tied 4-4 heading to the 9th.
This man must, must, must, must be the starting catcher in the All-Star game.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 26, 2023
Dodger fans need to come through starting tomorrow. https://t.co/fTOH3pX0Bx
Both teams didn’t score in the 9th and the game went to extra innings.
The Dodger bullpen was mostly excellent on Sunday, tossing 4 scoreless innings and continuing a streak of dominance. Brusdar Graterol quickly got into trouble in the 10th inning but another insane play by the Astros absolutely destroyed a rally and put the momentum firmly back in the Dodgers’ corner.
The Dodgers bullpen since June 18 (six games):
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 26, 2023
26.1 IP
9 H
1 ER
7 BB
26 K
That's good for an ERA of 0.34.
What an incredible bounce back performance the bullpen has had over this last week. Unsurprisingly, it's coincided with tons of success for the Dodgers.
Chasing 5-4 in the bottom of the 10th inning, LA had the tying run at third base with Mookie Betts coming to the plate. Knowing it was an ESPN game, you already know what happened. He tied it up. I pre-wrote that part hoping he’d hit the walk off… he just missed it.
That was all the Dodgers were able to muster as the game moved on to the 11th inning.
The phantom runner scored again for the Astros as the run came in off Yency Almonte. 6-5 Houston heading to the bottom of the 11th.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers ran out of magic and fell in extras.
More to come on this game.
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Up Next
The Dodgers are off on Monday before flying out to Colorado for the first time this season. After 3 against the Rockies, the road trip moves on to Kansas City and the Royals.
